Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 June 2025
221. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a breakdown of the number of individuals deported to Nigeria on the State-co-ordinated charter flight that took place on 4 June 2025, including the gender of each person; the age of each person; whether each individual was an adult or child; if any were part of a family unit, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30940/25]
View answer222. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will list the locations of detention or accommodation where individuals were held or assembled in advance of the deportation flight to Nigeria on 4 June 2025, including the number of individuals held at each location; the duration of their stay prior to removal; and the legal basis under which they were detained, in tabular form. [30941/25]
View answer223. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any family groups, including children, were deported on the flight to Nigeria on or around 4 June 2025; if so, to state the number of family units; the number of adults and children in each group; whether any child welfare assessments were conducted prior to removal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30942/25]
View answer224. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether an independent human rights observer or monitor was present on board the deportation flight to Nigeria on 4 June 2025, or present during the removal process; and if not, to explain the reason such monitoring was not provided for in this case. [30943/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 224, inclusive, together.
I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so, within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, is committing a criminal offence and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains on the person’s record permanently, unless revoked – it means they may not enter Ireland again in future.
It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued.
My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 1,940 deportation orders have been signed up to 06 June 2025.
Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 893 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 06 June 2025.
So far in 2025, three charter flight operations have removed 106 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 54 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses.
Of the 35 people removed by charter flight to Nigeria on 04 June 2025, 21 were adult male, 9 were adult female and 5 were children who travelled as part of two family units. I can advise the Deputy that the people removed were between the ages of 8 and 61; a further breakdown cannot be provided as a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.
I can advise the Deputy up to 06 June 2025 of this year there have been 160 enforced deportations (i.e. requiring escort), the majority of these cases have involved periods of detention prior to Departure. Of the 106 people removed by charter flight, 84 were held in custody immediately prior to the flight. Any children removed have been returned as part of family units. The children and their mothers were not detained in advance of their removal.
The enforcement of deportation orders, and the detention of people prior to their removal, is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Prior to any removal members of GNIB conduct a risk assessment for the safety of those travelling. In addition to Garda personnel, medical staff accompanied the returnees on each charter flight. A person who is the subject of a deportation order may be detained under Section 5 of the Immigration Act 1999 for up to 56 days for the purpose of ensuring their deportation from the State. An application to extend this period of detention must be made to the District Court.
The prescribed places of detention are contained in the Immigration Act 1999 (Deportation) Regulations 2005 and are: Castlerea Prison, Cloverhill Prison, Cork Prison, Limerick Prison, Midlands Prison, Mountjoy Prison, and Wheatfield Prison, as well as all Garda Síochána stations. However, not all of these locations are used for this purpose.
